An asymmetric synthesis of (2S,5S)-5-substituted azepane-2-carboxylate derivatives

To facilitate a drug discovery project, we needed to develop a robust asymmetric synthesis of (2S,5S)-5-substituted-azepane-2-carboxylate derivatives. Two key requirements for the synthesis were flexibility for elaboration at C5 and suitability for large scale preparation. To this end we have successfully developed a scalable asymmetric synthesis of these derivatives that starts with known hydroxy-ketone 8. The key step features an oxidative cleavage of aza-bicyclo[3.2.2]nonene 14, which simultaneously generates the C2 and C5 substituents in a stereoselective manner.     

Preparation of novel azabicyclic amines and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activity of derived aryl amides

Three new azabicyclic amines, namely exo‐3‐amino‐1‐azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane, 3‐amino‐1‐azabicyclo‐[3.2.2]nonane and exo‐6‐amino‐8‐azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane, have been designed and prepared as isosteres of 3‐aminoquinuclidine. Aryl amides derived from each series were prepared and tested in an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor assay as part of a drug discovery program to treat the cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. All new amides showed significant α7 nAChR activity and one series displayed potent α7 activity equal to the quinuclidine series.     

Solvent effects on oxygen-17 chemical shifts in methyl formate: linear solvation shift relationships

A multiple linear regression analysis has been carried out using the Kamlet-Abboud-Taft solvatochromic parameters in order to quantify the solvent effects on the (17)O chemical shifts of methyl formate (MF). The influence of the solvents upon the carbonyl oxygen chemical shifts is smaller for MF than for N-methylformamide (NMF). The influence (in parts per million) of the solvent polarity-polarizability reduces from -21.9pi* in amides to -9.6pi* in MF. The influence of the solvent hydrogen-bond-donor acidities reduces from -42.0alpha in formamides to -16.9alpha in MF. The solvent effects upon the dicoordinated oxygen chemical shifts of MF are smaller in magnitude and opposite in direction, i.e., 4.8pi* and 2.6alpha, than those for the carbonyl oxygen. (17)O hydration shifts have been calculated for the NMF + (H(2)O)(6) and MF + (H(2)O)(5) complexes by the ab initio GIAO method at the 6-311 + G** level. The hydration shifts calculated for the carbonyl oxygens of NMF and MF and for the dicoordinated oxygen of MF, -102.4, -64.7, and 17.6 ppm, respectively, show the same trend as the corresponding empirical hydration shifts, -101.7, -42.0, and 14.2 ppm.